Step ladder slip-on platform



June 24, 1958 A. A. BECKER 7 2,840,291

'STEP LADDER SLIP-ON.PLATFORM F'iled Jan. 5', 1957 Ifred )9 .Becii'e! 8 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent STEP LADDER SLIP-ON PLATFORM Alfred A. Becker, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application January 3, 1957, Serial No. 632,366

1 Claim. (Cl. 228-60) This invention relates to a step ladder attachment in the form of a platform which is so constructed that while a platform is provided for the convenience of the person standing on the step ladder, the platform will also provide means for holding the ladder spaced from the wall against which the ladder leans, allowing a person to operate at a comfortable distance from the work.

An important object of the invention is to provide a platform of this character which may be readily slid into position on a step of a ladder, whereby it is secured against accidental displacement by the pressure of the ladder leaning against the wall or work.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means to place the point of contact between the side members of the platform and building wall against which the ladder leans, above the platform level, thereby insuring against the ladder slipping under the weight of the user.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a step ladder attachment constructed in accordance with the invention, as mounted on the upper step of a step ladder.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the attachment or platform comprises spaced side bars 5 which are arranged with side faces disposed vertically, as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing.

These side bars are held in spaced relation with each other by means of the platform boards 6 and 7, the platform board 6 being secured by means of bolts 8, while the platform board 7 is secured by means of the screws 9.

As better shown by Fig. 2 of the drawing, the space side bars 5 diverge towards their outer ends so that a wide supporting surface is provided for contact with the wall or work.

The lower edges of the spaced side bars 5 incline upwardly as at 10 to reduce weight and provide ease in handling.

The rear ends of the spaced side bars 5 are formed with slots 11 that extend substantial distances inwardly from the ends 12 of the side bars, the lengths of the slots 11 being equal to the width of the uppermost step of a step ladder, so that the uppermost step of the ladder, which is indicated by the reference character 13, may be slid into the slots of the side bars 5 firmly securing the attachment in position on the step ladder. However it will be seen that due to this construction, the attachment may be readily and easily removed or replaced without the necessity of using tools of any kind.

Secured to the inner surfaces of the side bars 5, as by means of the screws 14, are bars 15 that are slightly inclined upwardly with respect to the upper edges of the side bars 5, so that they will contact the wall or surface against which the ladder is leaning, at a point above the platform level, thereby insuring against the ladder slipping under the weight of the user.

To insure a close contact between the ends of the bars 15 and wall 16, the free ends of the bars 15 are beveled at 17 so that by placing the beveled ends 17 squarely on the surface to be worked, the proper positioning of the ladder, which in the present showing is indicated by the reference character 18 will be assured. I

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided an attachment for step ladders in the form of a platform which is so constructed that it may be readily slid over a step of a'ladder to support the weight of an operator, and the usual step ladder converted into a scaffold.

It will also be seen that with applicants attachment, a pair of ladders may be used and supplied with the attachment, the attachments on the ladders providing supports for platform boards so that a workman may walk between the ladders on the boards, eliminating the necessity of moving the ladders with each painting operation to complete the work.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed A platform and brace attachment for step ladders comprising a pair of spaced side members providing a platform frame, a plurality of platform boards secured to the upper surfaces of said side members to form a relatively wide platform adjacent the upper side of said frame, each of said side members having a longitudinal slot extending inwardly from one of the respective ends thereof, for positioning over the top step of a step ladder whereby said platform rests upon said top step, and removably securing said attachment to said top step and in contact therewith, the other ends of said side members diverging outwardly to provide a relatively wide prop for resting against the wall, or on opposite sides of a tree hole or corner or the like, spacing said ladder from said wall, and side bars secured to each side member, said sidebars being inclined upwardly relative to the upper edges of said side members, the ends of said side bars being bevelled and perpendicular to said slots, to rest against a wall surface to insure close contact of said platform attachment with said wall surface while maintaining said platform level.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,136,354 Welsh m Nov. 8, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,538 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1933 

